The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly passed five resolutions in support of Palestine, covering refugee assistance, UNRWA’s mandate, property rights, human rights investigations, and Israeli settlements.

The big picture:

The votes highlight broad international support for Palestinian rights and refugee assistance and a global outcry to stop Israeli attrocities in Gaza and settlement expansion in West Bank.


By the numbers:

Refugee assistance: 151 in favor, 10 against, 14 abstentions.

UNRWA mandate renewal (3 years): 145 in favor, 10 against, 18 abstentions.

Palestinian refugee property: 157 in favor, 10 against, 9 abstentions.

Special Committee on Israeli practices: 88 in favor, 19 against, 64 abstentions.

Israeli settlements (including Eastern Al-Quds & Golan): 146 in favor, 13 against, 17 abstentions.

What they’re saying:

Palestine’s UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, thanked member states for their strong backing, noting growing international sympathy amid ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the three-year renewal of the agency’s mandate, calling it a reflection of global solidarity with Palestinian refugees. He emphasized the need for genuine commitments and resources to address humanitarian and developmental needs until a lasting solution is achieved.


What’s next:

UNRWA and other UN bodies will continue to press for funding and political backing to implement these resolutions, while debates over Israel-Palestine remain central to UN diplomacy.

Go deeper:

UN Chief Reaffirms Call for Palestinian Rights and Two-State Solution

Hossein Amiri - Mojtaba Darabi